The dock was gradually coming to life.
On the river, the water shimmered with rippling reflections under the morning glow, like a flowing golden ribbon.
Boats of all kinds were moored along the shore. Cargo ships, laden with goods, sat slightly lower in the water as dockworkers busily loaded and unloaded them. Light fishing boats clustered together, their bows still draped with fishing nets from the previous night. In the distance, more vessels slowly approached, their sails billowing in the gentle breeze.
The dock was lined with various stalls. Some sold freshly caught fish and shrimp, but most offered breakfast items—steaming buns, fried dough sticks, all emitting enticing aromas.
Lin Yao had arrived a bit late today. By the time she got there, the prime spots were already taken. They found a corner, set down their carrying pole and baskets, and began setting up their food stall.
After setting up the pancake stand and arranging the ingredients from her basket, Lin Yao got to work.
She started by scooping a large piece of lard into the pan. The fat sizzled loudly on the hot surface. Lin Cheng seemed hesitant to speak, and Lin Yao noticed her older brother’s concern over the generous use of lard. "Brother," she said, "when we sell food, appearance, aroma, and flavor are all essential. Otherwise, why would anyone pay for it?"
Lin Cheng thought for a moment and nodded. "A Yao is right."
Old Woman Li, who ran the congee stall next door, had been stealing glances their way, clicking her tongue in disbelief. She wondered what this new young woman was up to, using so much oil. The three siblings didn’t look like they came from a wealthy family—how could they afford to be so wasteful?
Unaware of Old Woman Li’s inner criticism, Lin Yao poured the pre-prepared batter into the pan. As it hit the hot surface, tiny bubbles immediately formed.
Skillfully, she picked up a spatula and gently nudged the edges of the pancake to ensure even cooking.
As the temperature rose, the edges turned golden and crispy, releasing an irresistible fragrance.
Seeing one side begin to turn lightly golden, Lin Yao promptly flipped the pancake to cook the other side.
Soon, the other side was equally golden and appealing. The fresh aroma of chives blended perfectly with the rich scent of eggs, and the enticing smell seemed to take flight, drifting through the air.
Old Woman Li couldn’t help but sniff the air and lean over to ask, "Young lady, what are you making? It smells wonderful."
Lin Yao looked up with a smile. "Auntie, it’s a chive and egg pancake."
Before long, several chive and egg pancakes were neatly arranged to the side. Lin Yao selected the best-looking one, wrapped it in a reed leaf, and handed it to Old Woman Li. "Auntie, please try it."
Old Woman Li waved her hands hurriedly. "Oh, no, no! You kids are out here trying to make a living—it’s not right for me to take it for free."
But Lin Yao insisted, pressing it into her hands. "Auntie, please don’t refuse. We may need your help and guidance in the future!"
Finally, Old Woman Li accepted it. She took a bite, and her eyes instantly lit up. "Delicious, truly delicious! Young lady, your skills are remarkable! I’ve been setting up stalls at this dock for most of my life, and this is the first time I’ve tasted such a delicious pancake!"
Lin Yao knew perfectly well that leek and egg pancakes were not difficult to make. However, in ancient times, oil was scarce, and lard was a luxury item that ordinary folks would only use generously during festivals. Her pancakes were made with ample lard and eggs, making them naturally delicious.
Pleased by the praise, Lin Yao smiled even more sweetly and continued flipping pancakes without pause. "Thank you for the compliment, ma'am. My surname is Lin. This is my elder brother Lin Cheng and my younger brother Lin Song. May I ask how to address you?"
"My surname is Li. You can call me Old Woman Li," she replied.
Just then, a passerby drawn by the aroma approached and asked, "What is this food? How much does it cost?"
Lin Yao answered crisply, "These are leek and egg pancakes, three coins each."
Upon hearing this, the man frowned and muttered, "Three coins? That's too expensive. I could buy several steamed buns for that price." With that, he turned and left.
Lin Yao felt a twinge of disappointment but quickly composed herself. She turned and handed a pancake to her slightly reserved elder brother and Lin Song, who were standing nearby. "Brother, Song'er, you must be hungry. Have some."
"Big brother doesn't need to eat. Song'er can have it. Save it to sell," Lin Cheng said.
Lin Song, who had been drooling with anticipation, eagerly reached out his small hand, took the pancake, and took a big bite. His cheeks puffed out, and his eyes narrowed into slits as if he were savoring a rare delicacy.
This scene happened to catch the attention of several passersby, who were unconsciously drawn over.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Yao cleared her throat and began hawking in a clear, lively voice, "Uncles, aunties, brothers, and sisters, come try our leek and egg pancakes! Made with fresh leeks, farm-fresh eggs, and plenty of lard, slowly pan-fried over low heat. Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside—absolutely fragrant! Only three coins each, affordable and filling!"
Encouraged by his siblings' presence, Lin Song grew bolder. After swallowing his bite, he lifted his crumb-covered little face and mimicked his sister in a childish voice, "They're so delicious! Come buy some!" As he spoke, he waved his small hands, his lively and playful demeanor making him seem much more cheerful than the day before.
"Little girl, how much are your pancakes?" someone inquired.
"Three coins each," Lin Yao repeated.
Upon hearing this, the crowd showed hesitation. For dockworkers earning thirty coins a day, a three-coin pancake wasn't cheap, and not everyone could afford such an indulgence. Some from poorer families brought their own plain pancakes from home, eating them with cold water during breaks.
Old Woman Li, observing the scene, chimed in with a smile, "These pancakes are truly delicious! I just tried one—they're made with generous ingredients and taste wonderful. Three coins is absolutely worth it! In all my years setting up a stall here, I've never tasted such flavorful pancakes!"
Though still somewhat skeptical, a few people couldn't resist the enticing aroma wafting from Lin Yao's stall and eventually took out their coins to buy one.
One buyer took a bite, intending to just nibble casually. But as soon as the pancake entered his mouth, the crispy exterior, soft and chewy interior, and the fresh aroma of leeks combined with the rich flavor of eggs spread luxuriously across his palate.
Forgetting all decorum, he began devouring the pancake in large bites. His ravenous eating stunned those around him.
"Is it really that exaggerated?" someone murmured under their breath. Nevertheless, a few curious onlookers, tempted to give it a try, bought pancakes themselves. After tasting them, they too expressed pleasant surprise, "It really is delicious!"
Lin Yao's stall was small, with no tables or chairs set up. Some customers who bought pancakes would glance over and notice Old Woman Li's porridge stall next door. They'd take their pancakes there, buy a bowl of hot porridge, and eat them together.
This arrangement also brought bustling business to Old Woman Li's porridge stall. She grinned from ear to ear, ladling porridge while calling out, "Take your time, dear customers! Be careful not to burn yourselves!"
Lin Yao's stall gradually grew busier, with people continuously pulling out coins to buy pancakes. Lin Cheng helped by handing over pancakes and collecting money, so busy that beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
Just then, a master and servant arrived at the stall. "I'll take all the remaining pancakes here," one of them said.
Lin Yao looked up and recognized the young man who had been haggling at the grain shop yesterday.
He wore an indigo blue robe that appeared somewhat faded from washing yet remained neat and clean, with a scholar's headscarf. His attire suggested he was a scholar, but upon closer inspection today, she noticed his robe seemed rather tight-fitting. The robe appeared slightly too small for him, accentuating his burly physique.
Most scholars nowadays had slender builds, but although this man wore scholarly robes and headscarf, he looked more like a military man.
Not that Lin Yao was judging by appearances—Xu Zhiheng, being the son of the Northern Garrison General, had practiced martial arts since childhood. Naturally, he differed greatly from those bookish scholars who spent all day buried in texts and appeared frail and delicate.
Lin Yao's gaze fell on Xu Zhiheng's face. She saw his well-defined features, sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, a tall nose bridge, and lips curved in a pleasant arc. However, his words weren't quite as pleasing: "Miss, could you give me a discount?"
Behind him, his servant held various food packages in one hand while munching on a meat bun with the other, already accustomed to his master's habit of bargaining for everything.
Lin Yao was momentarily speechless. This man had bought fifty catties of white flour in one go at the grain shop last time, and now he even had a servant attending to him. He didn't seem like someone from a poor family, so why would he fuss over a few coins?
But only a fool would turn down money. Having experienced his persistence before, Lin Yao briefly complained inwardly before agreeing, "Alright then! These eleven pancakes will be thirty coins. This must be your first time at our stall, sir? If you like them, do come again!"
Xu Zhiheng looked thoroughly satisfied, clasping his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, miss! I'll definitely be a regular customer from now on!"
His travel funds from home were nearly depleted, and military expenses were high—money was needed everywhere. Nowadays, he wished he could split each coin into several pieces to use, saving wherever possible.
Lin Yao deftly wrapped the eleven pancakes carefully and handed them to Xu Zhiheng. He took the pancakes, pulled out his purse, and began counting coins one by one, afraid of overpaying by even a single coin.